Wednesday, 31 August 2011

A little while back I put out a request to the world for some people who wouldn't mind me trying out a new idea on them. 7 agreed.

The thoughts behind it all...
When shooting portraits I normally talk a lot, and I encourage others to talk too. This generally gets people to relax. However, sometimes I find the best way to get a good expression or feeling from someone is to stop that chat, and just wait. They start off not quite knowing what to do, they look shy, smile, laugh, pull an amazing awkward face, or give you the best silent look. So many interesting things occur when I stop talking.

This got me thinking: what if I didn't talk at all during a photoshoot. From the moment my subject enters the room to the moment they leave I wont say anything - I'll just stay quiet and see what happens.

Katy was the last person into the room...

See the first person into the room here: Will
See the second person into the room here: Paul
See the third person into the room here: Keir
See the fourth person into the room here: Sophie
See the fifth person into the room here: Emily
See the sixth person into the room here: Olga

A massive thanks to all those who took part in this project. It was totally fascinating to be part of. Most of all I learnt about people and interaction, and the fact that the way I behave, move and direct on a shoot is just as important, if not more important, than what I say. I also learnt that being with someone in a strange and unique situation can instantly make you feel like friends. You've shared something together and have something to connect you more than normal polite conversation. This is how a portrait shoot should be, I want to learn about others and get closer to others and show this in my photographs of them. The better I can get to know someone the better photos I can take of them.

A massive thanks to all the ladies who brought a huge amount of knitwear and craft items for me to use as props in the shoot. Also thanks to the furniture department for lending us the space to take the photo and letting me move around all the furniture that was on display.

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

A few months ago I put out a plea - I needed people to model for a photoshoot. The shoot was for the University of Bristol, taking images for their postgraduate marketing. I had a surprisingly good response and gathered together about 10 friends, grabbed a few others from the street and had some fun. It was a long hot day which took me around most of this lovely city on foot and left me totally shattered, but we got some nice images and enjoyed ourselves.

Friday, 12 August 2011

A bit of cheek and persistence can gain you access to many interesting places as a photographer.

Having seen the Mounted Police riding around Bristol whilst I go about my life I could not help but think they were totally fascinating and quite unusual in this modern world of cars, motorbikes and hi-tech transport. Moreover the people who spend their time working in the mounted section must spend a very large amount of their life amongst animals - the exact focus of my people and animals project.

So after a few phone calls, and emails, and back-and-forwarding we finally arranged a Sunday afternoon when I could travel down to the stables in Bower Ashton. I photographed Tracey (a mounted officer) and Natalie (someone who looks after the horses, but does not ride them into riots and drunken city centers as part of her job).

After the horses shoot I wanted to take a few pictures in the locker room...Tracey got into the locker...

A massive thanks to the Mounted Police in Bristol, in particular to Tracey and Natalie.

Thursday, 11 August 2011

A short while back I put out a request to the world for some people who wouldn't mind me trying out a new idea on them. 7 agreed.

The thoughts behind it all...
When shooting portraits I normally talk a lot, and I encourage others to talk too. This generally gets people to relax. However, sometimes I find the best way to get a good expression or feeling from someone is to stop that chat, and just wait. They start off not quite knowing what to do, they look shy, smile, laugh, pull an amazing awkward face, or give you the best silent look. So many interesting things occur when I stop talking.

This got me thinking: what if I didn't talk at all during a photoshoot. From the moment my subject enters the room to the moment they leave I wont say anything - I'll just stay quiet and see what happens.

Olga was the sixth person into the room...

See the first person into the room here: Will
See the second person into the room here: Paul
See the third person into the room here: Keir
See the fourth person into the room here: Sophie
See the fifth person into the room here: Emily